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Combine like termsTechnique

Technique

Combine like terms

Add coefficients only when the variable parts match

3 min 3 steps

Combining terms is sorting: same letters, same exponents, same pile. I used to sort pencils by hardness, for reasons I'd rather not discuss.

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Calls on

Like terms share the same variable partFactCombine terms only when letters and powers match

Used by

Translate a situation into an equationTacticName each number's job, then write the equation
Solve linear equations for a targetTacticRead the target first, then stop when it stands alone
Zero, one, or infinitely many solutionsTacticCompare slopes and intercepts instead of solving
Rewrite into an equivalent formTacticAim for the choices' form, then check with a number